Risk Maps

The seismic hazard in a given region or geographic location is related both to the severity of ground shaking expected in the area and to the likelihood, or probability, that a given level of shaking will occur.

Seismic hazard is often characterized in terms of three levels of shaking intensity: namely low, moderate, and severe. The seismic hazard maps presented in Figure 1 show the geographic areas in Europe with low, moderate, and high probabilities of earthquake ground shaking in the future.

Figure 1 – Seismic hazard in Europe

Source: European Seismological Commission (SHARE, 2003)